1989
film adapted from the Choderlos de Laclos novel
Les Liaisons Dangereuses.
Valmont was directed by
Milos Forman, who is known for getting great performances out of
actors. The title's
rogue is played with aplomb by Colin Firth, and his
adversary the Marquise de Merteuil by
Annette Bening. These two 18th century aristocrats make a
bet testing the Vicomte de Valmont's abilities in
seduction. First he must deflower her unfaithful lover's virginal bride-to-be, Cecile. (
Fairuza Balk's Cecile was my favorite character here; she has just the right blend of
naivete, humor, sweetness, and honesty.) Valmont's other conquest is a shy and pious married woman played by Meg Tilly. If he is successful with both, the Marquise herself must also succumb to his
lust.
A very different film adaptation, Dangerous Liaisons, came out in 1988, and they are fascinating to compare. In Forman's telling the characters are younger, more playful and less calculating than in the Stephen Frears' one, and the story has less of a barb at the end. I loved them both. Fun viewing!